"Since dawn this morning there have been first signs that consciousness is being affected," he said.

'About to die'

Newspapers in Italy and across the world splashed farewell messages to the Pope on Saturday.

Prayers have been offered up for the pontiff worldwide

"Long Farewell to the Dying Pope" read a headline in La Repubblica while Il Tempo simply said "Ciao, Karol", using the Polish-born Pope's original first name.

All Italian sports competitions were suspended on Saturday out of respect for the pontiff, the Italian Olympic Committee said.

The head of the Vatican's health care office told Mexican TV the Pope was "about to die".

"I talked to the doctors and they told me there is no more hope," said Mexican Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan.

Correspondents in Rome say the mood is one of sadness and resignation, as the city prepares to say goodbye.

A nun in the city said that while she felt sadness at the Pope's approaching death there was " happiness that his suffering will end because he's truly suffering".

Heading for Rome

Having refused to return to the Gemelli hospital where he was treated last month for breathing difficulties, the Pope is being treated in his Vatican apartment by a team of four top consultants and his private doctor, Renato Buzzonetti.

May his successor be as principled and as much a force for good as this man has been, but with the ability to adapt his dogma to the realities of a suffering world